TOWNSHIP & COUNTY NEWS

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General

Call-to-Action issued on property tax reformPennsylvania Realtors® are urged to contact their state senators today and ask them to support Senate Bill 76, the property tax reform legislation. A vote on Senate Bill 76 is anticipated in the next several weeks. Senate Bill 76 proposes to eliminate property taxes dedicated to school districts and replace the funding by raising the personal income tax from 3.07 to 4.34 percent and increasing and broadening the sales tax from 6 to 7 percent to include previously exempted items. Senators have been working to address a few issues with the bill, which will be resolved with an amendment. For more information about this issue, visit www.RealReform76.com.Source: PARJustListed, 3/31/2014

Tweet your Senator about 'Patent Trolls' This week, the U.S. Senate will be considering patent reform legislation that is supported by NAR and our coalition partners of several dozen small business organizations. Realtors and small businesspeople from across the country have been reporting frivolous demand letters from patent assertion entities (aka patent trolls) who have been seeking damages for alleged patent license infringement. Often these patents are for ubiquitous technology such as basic office products or simple web-based interfaces. The cost of settling these demands is usually much less expensive than the retainer for a patent attorney so many victims simply opt to settle. Legislation being debated in Washington would reign in this practice. Please help us by contacting your Senator through Twitter and promoting it and the hashtag: #FixPatents.

Bucks

Lower Bucks Municipal Authority raises fee for inspection, certification The Lower Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority has increased the fee for sewer and water payment certification and easement inspection to $100. The Authority covers all of Levittown, Tullytown Borough and some surrounding neighborhoods in Bristol, Falls and Middletown townships. The Authority requires a minimum of thirty (30) days notification for an easement inspection. Realtors or property owners are encouraged to request an easement inspection as soon as the property is listed for sale. Click here for certification guidelines.

Quakertown schools facing $3.5 million shortfall The Quakertown Community School District is facing a $3.5 million budget shortfall. Earlier this year, the school board opted to limit its tax increase to the Act 1 index of 2.1 percent and chose not to seek exceptions for items such as pension costs. A 2.1 percent increase would bring in $1.1 million in additional tax revenue, not enough to cover next year's budget gap. The district projects operating expenses to rise by 3.6 percent next year, due mainly to retirement, salaries, transportation and debt service. Projected revenue dropped by $500,000 due to real estate assessment appeals and flat economic growth. With a 2.1 percent tax increase, the average tax bill for a home assessed at the district average of $26,308 would increase $80 to $3,865. The board is scheduled to approve a proposed final budget on April 24 and authorize the final budget on June 12.Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/28/2014

Lifting of sewer moratorium opens the door to the Promenade in Newtown A recent agreement between the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) resulted in the lifting of a regional sewer moratorium that had impacted 13 Lower Bucks County municipalities, including Newtown Borough and Newtown Township. As a result, building at the "Promenade" may soon begin, with parking lot milling and tree work starting last week. Located at the old Acme site of Sycamore Street, the Promenade will feature shopping anchored by the national retail chain Anthropologie, other smaller retail establishments and apartments. Now that the moratorium has been lifted, developer Jim Worthington hopes to finalize approvals and begin construction. He hopes to be open for business shortly after the first of next year.Source: The Advance; 4/2/2014

Developer eyes Bristol waterfront for living units and restaurant Developer Joe Ventresca of JVS Properties of Moorestown, NJ, appeared before the Bristol Borough zoning hearing board to present plans to redevelop the former Stock's Waterfront Café property at 4 Mill St. Ventresca received variances and a special exception to develop the prime riverfront property that has sat vacant and deteriorating for years. Unable to renovate the existing structure, the plans include demolishing the building and replacing it with a similar looking modernized structure that will include a restaurant, five condominiums and five townhouses that face the river. The proposed 28,000 to 30,000 square feet of space would replace the existing building's 14,000 square feet of space. The developer must still gain approval and possibly zoning relief from Bristol Borough council.Source: Bristol Pilot; 3/25/2014

Chester

Pipeline information Center Chester County Planning Commission Executive Director Ronald Bailey announced the launch of the county's Pipeline Information Center website which looks to inform both community members and gas companies about the various pipeline facilities in the county. The website allows users to view an interactive map of municipalities and where pipeline facilities and easements exist in the county. Residents will also be able to use the website to determine whether they have a pipeline easement on their property. Bailey noted that because some of the pipelines in the county have been here for decades, many residents who move into the area are unaware of easements. Bailey said that the purpose of the site is to educate more people about the pipeline in the county. To access the county pipeline website, residents can go to www.chescopagreen.org and click on the Pipeline Information Center link.

Phoenixville owed nearly $1 million in delinquent fees Phoenixville Borough's water, sewer and trash budget began the year with nearly $1 million in unpaid bills and the balance has now grown so large that officials have decided to bring in an outside collection agency to get as much of the money as possible. "From a staffing perspective, we just don't have the manpower to follow every delinquency every month," Phoenixville Borough Manager Jean Krack said. Just 15 of those on the delinquent list - which account for only 58 of the 866 total accounts - are responsible for more than half the unpaid bills. Those 15 debtors collectively owe the borough $512,238, a Mercury review of Phoenixville's delinquent list showed.Source: The Mercury; 4/1/2014

West Chester board approves teacher contract The West Chester Area School Board approved a new teacher contract, bringing a close to negotiations that collapsed into a bitter public battle last fall. The five year contract is retroactive to June 2012, when the last contract expired and it runs through the end of the 2016-17 school year. Under the new agreement, teachers will receive raises of about 2.6 percent each year. They will move to a health insurance plan that will save the district $1.4 million over the contract. After salary increases and benefit concessions are taken into account, the teachers will receive an average raise of about 1.9 percent annually.Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 4/1/2014

West Vincent developer asks approval for temporary sewer hookup West Vincent Township supervisors were asked by a development group to consider a three-year plan to sell homes and establish a temporary sewage connection, a plan that developers say would have a dual financial benefit. Neil Fisher, vice president of engineering for The Hankin Group, presented the idea that a sewage connection would run through Hankin projects on a parcel known as the Brunner parcel. The developer has plans to temporarily connect a sewage pipe into the existing sewage pump in Weatherstone, a nearby residential development of Hankin's. Fisher estimated the connection would cost $100,000. He said there would be a savings to Hankin and to the township during the first three years. He said this plan would use the existing sewage plant in the development that is designed to handle the sewer, rather than paying a hauler. During this time, Hankin would sell homes on a property it wants to build singles and townhouses on. By doing this, Fisher said the township would collect roughly $80,000 in revenue during the three year period to build up its capital reserve fund. Still, supervisors' Chairman Kenneth Miller asked to hear the benefit to the township. The Hankin Group has plans to build a sewage plant to serve the Brunner development that Fisher said could take nearly two years. Supervisors Miller, David Brown and John Jacobs agreed they were not prepared to make a decision. Miller asked Fisher to return with the sewer budget numbers and the cost to homeowners to "review all the numbers so we know exactly what the net effect is going to be" for the residents.Source: Daily Local; 3/27/2014

Delaware

Eddystone, Brookhaven and Glenolden inspection feedback requested In response to feedback from REALTORS in the boroughs of Eddystone, Brookhaven, and Glenolden about serious issues with obtaining Use and Occupancy Certificates, the Suburban Realtors Alliance has launched a survey to collect information about the inspection process in these communities. It is critical that REALTORS who conduct business in these communities participate in the survey in order to increase the possibility that positive changes can be made. Please fill out the survey through this link with specific information about your experience relating to one of these communities. All responses will be kept anonymous.

Haverford to discuss point of sale issues at work session Several REALTORS will be in attendance at the April 7 Haverford Township Commissioners' work session to revisit a discussion about point-of-sale issues in the township. In January, REALTORS presented some information about the impact of curbing replacement requirements and a potential sewer lateral inspection on home sales in the township. The work session will take place on Monday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at the Quatrani Building adjacent to the Township Building at 2325 Darby Road, Havertown. Please contact Erin Smist at esmist@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com if you plan to attend.

Sharon Hill to require lockboxes on commercial properties Sharon Hill Borough adopted an ordinance requiring a rapid entry system providing for the installation of key lock boxes on the exterior of commercial structures for use by the fire department. Commercial property owners who have questions about the new requirement should contact Fire Marshall Chuck Berk or Borough Manager Steve Travers at 610-586-8200.

Ridley Park Comprehensive Plan The Ridley Park Planning Commission held a meeting to present an overview and discuss the draft of the proposed new comprehensive plan for Ridley Park Borough. The draft plan was developed and prepared through the work of a borough comprehensive plan committee and the assistance of the Delaware County Planning Department. A copy of the proposed Ridley Park Comprehensive Plan is available electronically for viewing on the Borough website here. Source: Daily Times; 3/19/2014

Montgomery

Pottstown ordinance reconfirming permits for residential building and accessory structure repairs Pottstown Borough Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 14, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. to consider an ordinance that will establish and reconfirm Pottstown Building Code provisions requiring permits for repairs and alterations to residential buildings and construction of utility and miscellaneous use structures. The ordinance sets forth permit requirements for accessory structures; construction, alterations or repairs to sewer and water laterals, plumbing, supply, waterline, sanitary drainage and venting systems; and exempts certain alterations and repairs from permit. The meeting will take place at Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 E. High St., Pottstown,Source: Pottstown Mercury; 3/31/2014

Annual Housing Fair - April 12 The Montgomery County Partners for Homeownership will hold its 2014 Housing Fair on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School in Plymouth Meeting, PA. The annual housing fair is a great starting point to have questions answered from experts including lenders, Realtors®, insurance agencies, home inspection firms, non-profit and government agencies and more. Workshops will be held throughout the day. Admission is free to the public and no registration is needed to attend. Click here for more information.

Upper Merion and Montgomery County see revenue from casino Since its opening in March 2012, the Valley Forge Casino Resort in Upper Merion Township has added significantly to the revenue stream of the township. In 2012, Upper Merion Township saw $943,522 in casino revenue and that increased to $1,594,610 in 2013 - the first full year of operation. Township Manager David Kraynik reported that the casino revenues are added to the general fund to help balance the township's $30 million operating budget. The casino resort also provides funding to the township's Board of Community Assistance to allocate through nonprofit grants and scholarships. Click here for more information. Montgomery County received the same amounts in each year as Upper Merion, matching the 2 percent of gross revenue mandated by Pennsylvania gambling legislation. The county money, however, has been held by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) waiting for grant applications. The $2,538,132 county total will be disbursed by the CFA in September. Guidelines for grant applications are available here. Grants are available for the redevelopment, reuse, or revitalization of previously developed land, development of undeveloped land, and projects which construct, expand, or improve water and wastewater infrastructure related to business development in Montgomery County. Two years ago Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-141st Dist.) was the chief sponsor of House Bill 545, proposed to directly fund Montgomery County parks and historic sites, Mission Kids and Laurel House with casino funds. "The local share is not currently going to the county, but to the Commonwealth Financing Authority. My bill would distribute the money to county parks and historic sites (50 percent) and divide the remaining money evenly between Mission Kids and Laurel House," said Toepel in an email. Co-sponsors of the bill include Reps. Tim Briggs (D-149th), Warren Kampf (R-157th), Todd Stephens (R-151st), Kate Harper (R-61st), Thomas Murt (R-152nd), Seth Grove (R-196th), Mike Vereb (R-150th), Justin Simmons (R-131st) and Michael O-Brien (D-175th).Source: King of Prussia Courier; 3/30/2014 & Times Herald; 4/3/2014

Changes eyed for Suburban Square Kimco Realty, the owners of Suburban Square in Ardmore, recently met with local civic associations to present a renovation concept for the shopping center. The plans include an expansion of the existing Trader Joe's next to the Ardmore Farmer's Market and a new three-and-a-half-level parking structure to be built on the East Lot off Coulter Avenue. The parking structure would be costly, about $20 million; therefore the concept plan also includes about 26,000 square feet of new retail space to help recoup the cost. Response to the concept plan was favorable. Some zoning relief may be required and Kimco will need to present the plans to Lower Merion Township for zoning and other approvals.Source: Main Line Times; 3/30/201

Souderton Council swears in new member Dan Houser has been sworn in as the newest member of the Souderton Borough Council. Houser will fill out the unexpired term of Steven Toy, who resigned from council earlier this month to become Souderton's code enforcement officer. The term runs through the end of 2015.Source: Souderton Independent; 3/31/2014

Philadelphia

Report: A record 1,700 new rentals in Center City The Center City District (CCD) reported that more than 1,700 new apartment units were added to downtown Philadelphia in 2013 - the largest annual increase since 1998 when the district began tracking construction trends. The next-highest year was 2006, which saw just 800 new apartments. The report, titled "Housing Resurgence," said that there are another 1,700 rental units under construction over the next two years in the area defined by Girard Ave., Tasker St., and the city's two rivers but questioned whether there will be sufficient demand to fill the units. The surge in apartment units reflects a national trend in rising rental demand. Census data over the last 15 years has shown an increase in young professionals and children under the age of five in Center City and surrounding neighborhoods. However, a decline from 2010 to 2012 in the number of 5- to 17- year olds in the same areas potentially reflects concerns over the city's school system. The report states that "Restoring funding, confidence, and effective management in Philadelphia's public schools are essential" while also calling for competitive tax policies to spur employment growth.Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/20/2014

Philadelphia schools facing $320 million shortfall For the second straight year, the Philadelphia School District is staring at a more than $300 million shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1. That's according to a lump-sum budget adopted last night by the School Reform Commission, which lays out broad projections of revenue and expenses. The forecast anticipates $2.8 billion in expenses, with $2.5 billion in revenues, leaving a deficit of $320 million. "Based on our current financial picture, we are still left without adequate funding to provide even the most basic services for our students," SRC chairman Bill Green said. "We are again in a position to ask for additional funding." Of the projected shortfall, the district said it needs $100 million just to maintain staffing levels, while the full figure requested would allow the district to begin implementing the initiatives in Superintendent William Hite's Action Plan 2.0, focused on getting all students to graduate ready for college and careers. The anticipated revenue assumes $120 million from an extension of the extra 1 percent sales tax approved by the General Assembly last year, but not yet adopted by City Council. Officials said they are "fairly confident" the money will come through, but if it doesn't, Green cautioned, "it will be a very bad day."Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/28/2014